We are Christ-centered Friends who equip and encourage all people
to respond to God's love and transforming Spirit.

This is the text of "First Words,"given by Karen Oberst at our Sunday Meeting, March 14, 2004

Reflections on the Beatitudes,

Matthew 5:3-12

by Karen L. Oberst
March 14, 2004

I have learned so much in the last six months that it would take hours to talk about it, not these few minutes. From reading and listening, praying and thinking, I have been challenged, stretched, and changed. However, my word study on the Sermon on the Mount has made things the clearest in my mind. Reduced to a sound byte, I have seen in a new way that God is proactive, showing love for all humankind, and that we are to do the same.

I want to share with you the Oberst translation of the Beatitudes, which are the summary of the entire Sermon. This is not a literal translation, but what I feel the Greek implies. You could call it my own version of The Message.

By the way, you will notice that it begins with looking at yourself and your relationship with God, and then moves to interactions with others.

"You are blessed when you realize you are no more than a beggar before God's door. The kingdom of heaven is made up of folks just like you."

"You are blessed when you are broken-hearted because you realize how far you are from what you should be spiritually. God is your own advocate and will make things right between the two of you."

"You are blessed when you have come to understand your true worth--neither better than, nor less than anybody else. You have become one of the true inheritors of the promise of God to humanity."

"You are blessed when you are desperate to do right to others, to treat others fairly, and have a burning desire for justice, for you shall be satisfied in that desire."

"You are blessed when you reach out to others in compassion, because in your turn you will receive compassion [from others and from God] in your time of need."

"You are blessed when you view the world out of a heart like God's. You will begin to see God everywhere and in everyone you meet."

"You are blessed when you work to bring true harmony and reconciliation, for then you are acting as what you are--a child of God."

"You are blessed when you have been, and are being, harassed because of your emphasis on justice for all. The kingdom of heaven is made up of people like you."

"You are blessed whenever people mock, insult, and otherwise revile, harass, and say nasty, untrue things about you because you are mine (that is Jesus'), living as subjects of God's kingdom, and as such, an affront to their whole way of life."

"Rejoice when that happens--and I mean be absolutely thrilled--because heaven is more than worth it. And when that happens, you'll know you're on the right track, because that's exactly how people have always treated those who speak for God here on Earth."

Amen and amen.